Culture and Nature of Armenia

Armenia from inside

10 days / 9 nights

DAY 1. Arrival in Yerevan. City tour

Arrival at “Zvartnots” International Airport. Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in. Rest. City tour in 2 793-year-old Yerevan and a visit to the History Museum of Armenia. Welcome Dinner at an open-air restaurant. Overnight in Yerevan.

DAY 2. Yerevan – Khor Virap – Noravank – Khndzoresk – Goris

Leaving Yerevan for the South of Armenia. Excursion with degustation of fragrant Armenian wines at a colorful wine factory. Visit to Khor Virap (deep pit) situated at the foothills of Biblical Mount Ararat. Moving forward to Noravank Monastic Complex surrounded by fiery red rocks. Exotic lunch at an adjacent cave. Drive to observe the old cave town called Khndzoresk. Spare time and overnight in colorful Goris.

DAY 3. Goris – Tatev – Shaki – Zorats Karer – Sisian

The world’s longest aerial tramway takes to Tatev Monastic Complex. Making Armenian dish “khorovats” and picnicking near Shaki waterfall. Visit to Zorats Karer astrological observatory dating back to the 3th millennium BC. Spare time and overnight in typical Soviet era town Sisian.

DAY 4. Sisian – Selim – Noraduz – Lake Sevan

Moving forward to the mountainous pearl of Armenia – Lake Sevan. On the way stop for having lunch with a local family in their private house. Another stop at Silk Road Selim Caravanserai. Spare time on the shore of Lake Sevan. Overnight at a hotel located on the shore of the Sevan.

DAY 5. Lake Sevan – Dilijan – Akhtala – Odzun – Dzoraget

Moving forward to the North. A short but a pleasant walking in Dilijan historic-cultural reserve (within the territory of Dilijan National Park). Continuing the route to Akhtala fortified monastery famous for its medieval Armenian wall-paintings. Lunch at a roadside bistro. Visit to the incredibly well-preserved Odzun Basilica dating back to the 6th C. Spare time and overnight in Dzoraget village.

Visit to the masterpieces of architecture – Sanahin and Haghpat Monastic Complexes. Lunch at a local restaurant and return to Yerevan. On the way stop in Rya Taza village to see rare gravestones in the shape of animals. Spare time and overnight in Yerevan.

DAY 7. Yerevan

Spare day in Yerevan is at your disposal!

DAY 8. Yerevan – Etchmiadzin (UNESCO) – Zvartnots (UNESCO) – Yerevan

Visit to Matenadaran which is the richest book-depositories in the world (with about 17 000 manuscripts). Moving forward to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin – the spiritual centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church. On the way back stop at the ruins of unique Zvartnots Temple. Spare time and overnight in Yerevan.

DAY 9. Yerevan – Garni – Geghard (UNESCO) – Yerevan

Visit to the only standing pagan temple in Armenia – Garni. The next stop is at Geghard Monastic Complex famous for it rock-cut architecture. Lunch at a village house-restaurant. Return to Yerevan. Visit to well-known Yerevan Brandy Factory - excursion and degustation. Spare time and overnight.